Friday, 27 November 2009

Writer Richard Curtis revealed that Scottish actor Tony Curran has been cast as Vincent van Gogh in an upcoming episode of Matt Smith's first season of Doctor Who. The episode is set to air next February in the UK.

Curtis told Bullz-Eye: "We've got a brilliant guy playing Vincent van Gogh - which is who it's about - who you should look up on YouTube. He's a guy called Tony Curran, who really could not look more like [him].

"He's a wonderful actor who was in this brilliant movie called Red Road that came out, a rather serious movie. But he's going to be great. I’ve had a lot of fun. We start to shoot in about a month." [Digital Spy]

Thursday, 26 November 2009

Alan received his OBE at Buckingham Palace yesterday from Princess Anne. Above is a photo of him with Princess Anne wearing a Cumming Hunting tartan. He was honored for his work in film, theater, and the arts and for his work as a gay rights activist. His civil partner Grant Shaffer, mother Mary, and brother Tom were also at the ceremony.

"That for me is the most important thing. I have a voice because of my work. I’m loud and I speak my mind,” he said. "I feel it’s a lucky position to be in – that people want you to speak out for something you want to say anyway."

"My work has enabled me to do something with my opinions for good."

"(The Princess Royal) was lovely…She asked me if I was getting enough work. I love that. I said I had just come back from Australia so if I fainted to not be alarmed. She thought that was hilarious."

Ewan McGregor has been shooting his new independent movie Beginners this week all over Los Angeles. There are some details about shooting over the past few days, and upcoming shooting locations:

The $3-million film, directed and written by Mike Mills, is among about 50 projects that received approval for tax credits under the state's new film incentive program.

The city figures prominently in the film. So far, the production has shot at Griffith Park, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and on Monday will move to Highland Park to film a Halloween party scene. The crew will also spend several days downtown filming at the Biltmore Hotel.

Even the city's Silver Lake dog park will have a bit part in the movie, location manager Chris Miller said [Los Angeles Times]

Below are a few photos of James from the November 22 press conference for The Last Station in New York. You can head on over here to check out the full set.

A new clip from the film is now online, but sorry folks, I can't embed it. You can watch it over on YouTube.

James also did an interview and discussed working on The Last Station and The Conspirator. Here's an excerpt from the interview:

JAMES MCAVOY has refused to work with actress wife Anne-Marie Duff in case they become "a target".

The Scots actor feared they would suffer in the spotlight the same way Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez or Liz Taylor and Richard Burton did.

But the couple - who met on the set of Channel 4's comedy Shameless - are finally appearing on the big screen together.

James, 30, said: "We've been offered a hell of a lot of parts playing opposite each other in films and TV and we just turn them down.

"If you do work together you put yourself up, you make yourself a target and you make your relationship a target and all of that. We're very keen not to do that.

"But in The Last Station we don't play opposite each other in the film. We don't really act with each other hardly at all."

James added: "It was nice to spend those two months together rather than spending those two months apart, while she's off somewhere doing God knows what and I'm off somewhere doing God knows what. So it was fine. It was quite easy with this one."

He's currently working on Oscar-winning director Robert Redford's latest film The Conspirator...He admitted Redford is working him hard - asking him to ditch his Scots accent and speak with an American one, even off the set.

"Bob wants me to stay in an American accent all the time," he winced. "I'm trying to but I just can't be bothered all the time.

"I'm trying to make Bob happy, but that's an exhausting task.

"I'll get there eventually, hopefully, one day. So, no. I'm not particularly method with either my accents or my acting."

..."This is the first time I've ever made a decision based on something else and that was partly because of Robert Redford. I wanted to work with him because he's a great director and has made some incredible movies." [The Daily Record via ONTD!]

Peter Capaldi appeared with Craig last night to promote In the Loop. Peter and Craig were in a band together when they were younger, and they're both so cute in the interview. The interview is posted below:

Wednesday, 25 November 2009

Sony Pictures Classics unveiled the new official trailer for The Last Station. The film opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 4 for a week to qualify for the Oscars and then opens wider on January 15. Enjoy:

Gerard Butler autographed a Build-A-Bear that will be auctioned for BBC Children In Need when he appeared on Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. You can now bid for it online over at Ebay to benefit Children In Need. You can go here to watch video of Gerard's Children in Need appeal.

There's also an interview Gerard did in the UK for Law Abiding Citizen:

The folks over at Collider got the poster for The Electric Slide from the American Film Market (AFM). AFM is "the place where buyers and sellers do business to bring you the films you’ll hopefully be seeing in the near future, AFM has tons of artwork and synopses which are used to promote films..." The poster featuring Ewan McGregor and the official synopsis are below:

THE ELECTRIC SLIDE, directed by Tristan Patterson

Based on the article “The Yankee Bandit: The Life and Times of Eddie Dodson, World’s Greatest Bank Robber”, written by Timothy Ford and published by GEAR Magazine, THE ELECTRICE SLIDE tells the true story of suave hipster and celebrity-magnet Eddie Dodson, who in 1980s Los Angeles owned and ran one of the city’s most stylish art deco furniture stores. Celebrities flocked to buy the latest pieces and Eddie was living the high life along with the Hollywood elite.

But when Eddie met cool and unimpressed Jenny, he decided to do the most outrageous thing he could think of to win her attention - he robbed a bank. Eddie discovered in himself the uncanny ability to charm pretty bank tellers into emptying their drawers of cash and getting away with it. And Jenny discovered that a boyfriend who robbed banks was about as hot as it got.

Over a period of months, Eddie and Jenny robbed over 70 banks in the Los Angeles area, often narrowly escaping the increasingly frustrated FBI. When the authorities interviewed the tellers who had been robbed, each of the described Eddie “like a movie star, the most charming man they had ever met.” The media, jumping on the story, dubbed him “The Gentleman Bandit.” But Eddie’s criminal lucky streak would not last forever as the FBI closed in and angry loan sharks with unpaid debts threatened his life.

The New York Times will be hosting its Eighth Annual Arts and Leisure Weekend in New York City featuring Alan Cumming and James McAvoy. Alan will appear will appear on Saturday, January 9 2010 from 6pm EST to 7:15pm EST at the TimesCenter Stage in New York. Tickets are available here. James will appear to discuss The Last Station on Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 4pm EST to 5:15pm EST at TimesCenter Stage in New York City. You can order tickets for James' appearance here. The Arts & Leisure Weekend runs through January 8-11.

The Last Station opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 4 for a week to qualify for the Oscars and then opens wider on January 15. Below is the US poster for the film:

Monday, 23 November 2009

The last two Doctor Who specials, The End of Time, Part One and The End of Time, Part Two will air on BBC America with Part One airing on December 26 at 9pm ET/PT. Part Two's air date will soon be announced. A preview of Part One aired during Friday's Children In Need:

You can also check out David's Children In Need video and there's still time to donate to Children In Need here.

Friday, 20 November 2009

ABC has moved Lost to Tuesdays at 9pm starting February 2. The show's sixth and final season starts with a two hour premiere called LAX:

The series will then air in its regular time period, on Tuesday nights from 9:00-10:00pm et beginning the following week, February 9th 2010.

Is the season goes off without a break, and Lost’s two hour finale is counted as two of the announced eighteen episodes (which is probably the case) then we will see the two hour finale of lost on May 25th, 2010 — right at the end of Sweeps. As it appears right now, Lost will will also go up against NBC’s coverage of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, and will not take the a much rumored break.

Henry Ian Cusick’s Desmond is not listed as a season-six regular, although he’ll be appear as a recurring character. [/Film]

Sean Connery has signed on to CGI animated movie Sir Billi while Shirley Bassey will sing the film's theme song Guardian of the Highlands. Bassey sang the theme songs for Bond films Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever.

According to THR, "the movie centers on a retired, skateboarding veterinarian who lives in a remote Scottish village and who spearheads the rescue of an illegal fugitive who also happens to be a beaver." Connery is also an executive producer on the film. After five years of development, husband-and-wife team Sascha and Tessa Hartmann will bring the independent film to the big screen in 2010. Scottish actor Alan Cumming also lends his voice to the film.

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Ewan McGregor is scheduled to host the Go Go Gala 2009 on November 20 to benefit orphan children around the world. Other celebrities set to appear at the even include Evangeline Lilly, Jessica Alba, Jonah Hill, Cash Warren, Cheryl Tiegs, Jesse Metcalf, John Togo, Danielle Bisutti, Dave Stewart and his Rock Fabulous Quartet, and Cirque du Soleil performers:

The second annual gala, by non-profit organization Go Campaign, aims to raise money for orphans and vulnerable children around the world.

Funds raised this year will support orphaned infants in rural China; a kindergarten for HIV/AIDS affected kids in Moshi, Tanzania; a mobile education unit in Haiti; legal rights and health rights education for children in Arusha, Tanzania; the construction of an eco-building and micro-business in the mountains of Peru; and a shelter for refugee youth returning to Liberia, among many others.

The night, to be held at Social Hollywood on November 20, will also honor TOMS shoes founder and chief shoe giver Blake Mycoskie.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to support the charity. [AHN via Best of Ewan]

Carey Mulligan was also in talks to star in the movie. Based on a true story, The Electric Slide centers around the life of furniture salesman Eddie Dodson, a man who became a notorious bank robber. Dodson owned a furniture boutique in Hollywood during the 1980s and tried robbing a bank to impress his new girlfriend. Dodson robbed over 70 banks in Los Angeles before he was arrested by the FBI. Ewan might play Dodson with Carey Mulligan playing his love interest in the movie.

In a first in the late-night talk show world, CBS’ Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson beat NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in the coveted 18-49 demo, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Ferguson has been inching closer to this for a while: In five of the last seven weeks, he’s tied Fallon. But this is the first time since Ferguson’s 2005 premiere that he’s beaten his competitor from NBC in the advertiser-coveted demo. Jimmy Kimmel Live! managed to tie Late Night last week, too. [EW via ONTD!]

David Tennant was on The Paul O'Grady Show last Thursday to promote the Doctor Who special The Waters of Mars which aired on Sunday, November 15 in the UK. The Waters of Mars will air on Saturday, December 19 on BBC America in the US.

Here's the trailer for The End of Time which was previewed just after The Waters of Mars aired in the UK.

Monday, 16 November 2009

I missed Gerry's birthday. Again. Last year I was in the country and this year I got bogged down by writing assignments. Anyway, I hope he had a wonderful 40th birthday last Friday. He was on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross for his birthday which you can watch below. The episode will air on BBC America on Friday, November 20 in the US.

You can watch video of Gerard Butler's arrival with his Mom to the Glasgow premiere of Law Abiding Citizen last night, and an interview on the red carpet. Red carpet photos are below:

Gerard is also featured on the cover of Signature LA Direct Magazine. You can read his entire interview over at the source. Check out the lovely photos:

Friday, 13 November 2009

You can check out a preview of David Tennant in Hamlet. The Hamlet DVD will be released on December 28, 2009 after it airs on BBC 2 in the UK. It will air in the US sometime in 2010 on the PBS program Great Performances.

The official St Trinian's 2 website is up so check it out here. The film opens on December 8 in the UK.

Thursday, 12 November 2009

You can watch the first part of John Barrowman's Around the World in 80 Days episode below. The episode aired on Tuesday, November 10 in the UK and you can check out parts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Around the World in 80 Days...six pairs of celebrities...re-enact the famous voyage of Phileas Fogg. The new six-part series which started on BBC1 on Tuesday 13th October and follows the celebrities who take part in an ambitious a six-leg relay race to circumnavigate the globe. These big-hearted celebs have signed up for this challenging adventure to raise funds for the Children in Need Appeal. [Easier Travel]

John is scheduled to appear on GMTV on November 24 to promote his new DVD An Evening with John Barrowman. The episode is set to air on ITV 1 from 6am to 9:25pm.

There are also some reports that the fourth season of Torchwood might start development as early as January of next year:

“The recession has hit British television, but fingers crossed, it will be a go. We expect things to start to move in January. We’ve got great ideas for the show. I think there’s a further lease on life for many years to come, but certainly for a [fourth season],” [ Russell T.] Davies says. John Barrowman is finishing his run in “La Cage Aux Folles” in London, so there’s plenty of time to trade his feather boa for Captain Jack’s trench coat. [TV Guide Magazine]

The public screening for Law Abiding Citizen starts at 8pm on Sunday, November 15 at Cineworld, Renfrew Street and will include an introduction by Gerard Butler. Just go here to buy a ticket to the event.

You can also have a look at the new gag reel featuring Gerry from The Ugly Truth DVD which hit stores yesterday.

Wednesday, 11 November 2009

A recent interview (via Kevin McKidd Online) revealed that Kevin McKidd will be doing voice work for upcoming Pixar film The Bear and the Bow which also stars Scottish actor Billy Connolly as King Fergus. The film is set to be released in December of 2011. Here's a synopsis:

A rugged and mythic Scotland is the setting for Pixar's action-adventure The Bear and the Bow. The impetuous, tangle-haired Merida (Reese Witherspoon), though a daughter of royalty, would prefer to make her mark as a great archer. A clash of wills with her mother compels Merida to make a reckless choice, which unleashes unintended peril on her father's kingdom and her mother's life. Merida struggles with the unpredictable forces of nature, magic and a dark ancient curse...Turning her into a Bear. [Wiki]

Kevin also discussed his work on Grey's Anatomy and video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. He talked about getting letters from Afghan and Iraq war veterans because of his role on Grey's:

"...one of the best bits about it all is that we have had a lot of letters...from people who are very grateful that a show of this size and reach is dealing with a subject like this.

"What's going on over there is very controversial politically, but we've been trying to tell the human story out there.

"We're telling the story of these very brave men and women and what it is to come back, pick up your life and move forward with that experience of a war zone.

"So there's been a lot of positive feedback from veterans and people working in the support system, as well as parents, loved ones, wives and husbands of returning veterans. They are delighted we are casting light on a subject that not a lot of people are talking about.

"It makes me very proud and pleased - it's nice to know people are happy with it. It's great to know that people are not just watching, but taking something from it." [Daily Record via Kevin McKidd Online]

On Modern Warfare 2, which is now out on XBox 360 and Playstation 3:

He has provided the voice for super soldier Captain "Soap" Mactavish, the head of an anti-terrorist task force.

And the actor, who previously had a small voice role in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City seven years ago, said he loved the chance to just let loose and enjoy himself playing soldiers.

"It was tiring because I would spend the whole day screaming orders at the top of my voice and then to get my voice to the place it needed to be, I found I was throwing myself about the studio like I was jumping on a real motorbike or a Jeep at times.

"But it was great fun and was like all the acting you'd want to do when you were a boy.

"I also got to keep my accent which was refreshing as well, as I spend all my energy at the moment hiding my native voice."

He joked: "I think that's one of the reasons I got the part actually - they needed to record in LA, I've got a work permit there, I'm Scottish and Gerard Butler wasn't available."

Thanks to the folks on Twitter (BritFancy and mcfangirl) for pointing this out to us. You can watch all 5 parts of David Tennant's November 9 appearance on The Graham Norton Show with Johnny Vegas and Alison Moyet:

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

Gerard Butler has been nominated for a People's Choice Award for favorite Action Star. More than 18 million votes were cast online to choose the nominees in 35 categories. You can vote here for the winners. Queen Latifah will host the People's Choice Awards ceremony at the Nokia Theater and the show will air live on CBS on January 6.

Lost, starring Henry Ian Cusick is also nominated for TV drama and best TV sci-fi/fantasy

In other news, the Glasgow premiere of Law Abiding Citizen takes place on Sunday, November 15 at Cineworld Renfrew Street. Doors open at 6:30pm with arrivals starting at 6:45pm. The film starts playing at 7:15pm.

Robert Carlyle won the Bafta Scotland award for best TV actor for The Unloved and Peter Capaldi won for the award for best actor for In the Loop. Peter Capaldi couldn't make it to the ceremony because according to In the Loop director Armando Iannucci - who picked up the award on his behalf - he was "flogging the film in LA because it's the start of the award season there. He was gutted to find out it had clashed with this." Robert Carlyle talked about what it meant to win:

"It's lovely, it's a fantastic thing, I was saying earlier on to people, I mean, ten years ago, to be honest with you, you wouldn't have thought too much of this, it was always nice to get a wee-kind of nod - but the quality of the nominations now is just getting higher and higher."

"The acting awards this year and last year - there's so many top quality Scots male actors at the moment that to be included amongst any kind of list of nominees you've got to be happy with that. You've got to be pleased with that. So, it's really come up, I think." [Yahoo! News UK]

People posted video of 2009's 100 Sexy Men in 1 minute. James McAvoy and Gerard Butler are in it - see if you can spot them in the video posted below. People magazine will announce this year's Sexiest Man Alive on November 18 and you can leave a comment over at their official site.

Monday, 9 November 2009

Ewan did an interview with Time and answered 10 reader questions. Video of the interview is below. Thanks again to Magdeléna for sharing this with us on our Facebook page.

There's also footage of Ewan presenting the Hollywood Actress Award to his Amelia co-star, Hilary Swank at the Hollywood Awards on Oct. 26, 2009 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The video was just uploaded a few days ago:

The Men Who Stare at Goats opened in 3rd place at the US box office over the weekend with approximately $13.3 million.

Ewan's upcoming film Beginners, which is reportedly in production in Los Angeles, has two new cast members - Goran Visnjic and Melanie Laurent.

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